Scalloped Flexure Ring for Thermal Mismatch in High CTE Couplings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Coupling structures with high and low coefficients of thermal expansion, such as metallic and ceramic structures, face thermal mismatch issues when rigidly joined, leading to high strains in the ceramic material, especially in elevated temperature applications.
Innovation Solution
A scalloped flexure ring with a ring body having a first straight edge and a second scalloped edge, featuring spaced-apart ring fingers that provide radial flexibility, allowing for relative thermal expansion and contraction between structures with different CTEs, thereby minimizing thermal stresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid joining is used to couple high CTE and low CTE structures, then structural strength and stability are improved, but thermal mismatch induces high strains and stresses in the ceramic structure
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure transitions from a rigid static connection to a dynamic flexible connection. The flexure ring with scalloped geometry and finger elements can dynamically adjust its shape and accommodate dimensional changes, allowing the structure to absorb thermal expansion differences through elastic deformation rather than transmitting stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a flexible ring structure with thin finger elements that can bend and deform elastically. This flexible shell design allows the coupling structure to accommodate thermal mismatch by deforming in response to dimensional changes in the high CTE component, thereby protecting the low CTE ceramic structure from excessive stress.
2Reliability
If rigid coupling is used to ensure structural stability, then reliability is improved, but thermal expansion mismatch causes high strains in elevated temperature applications
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure transitions from a rigid static connection to a dynamic flexible connection. The flexure ring with scalloped geometry and finger elements can dynamically adjust its shape and accommodate dimensional changes, allowing the structure to absorb thermal expansion differences through elastic deformation rather than transmitting stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the mechanical parameters of the coupling structure by introducing flexibility through the flexure ring design. The scalloped geometry with finger elements provides controlled compliance, allowing the structure to change its effective stiffness and accommodate thermal expansion without compromising the integrity of the ceramic component.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible connection is used to accommodate thermal expansion, then thermal stress is reduced, but structural rigidity and stability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure is segmented into multiple functional zones: rigid attachment regions that provide stable mounting points for both components, and flexible intermediate regions with finger elements that accommodate thermal expansion. This segmentation allows different parts of the structure to have different mechanical properties, combining rigidity where needed with flexibility where thermal mismatch occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by making only the specific coupling region flexible while keeping the attachment regions rigid. The scalloped flexure ring introduces flexibility locally at the interface between high and low CTE components, while the overall structure maintains sufficient rigidity for stable mounting and load bearing through its geometric design and material selection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The scalloped flexure ring effectively reduces thermal stresses between high and low CTE structures during heating and cooling cycles, preventing damage to the ceramic structure and enabling reliable coupling in elevated temperature applications.
Implementation Method 1
facilitate relative thermal expansion and contraction of the high CTE structure with respect to the low CTE structure during heating and cooling cycles
Implementation Method 2
At least one base flexure line and at least one finger body flexure line may be provided. The base flexure line and the finger body flexure line may impart radial flexibility to the finger body of each ring finger
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A scalloped flexure ring. An illustrative embodiment of the flexure ring includes a ring body (2) having a first ring body edge (2a) and a generally scalloped second ring body edge (2b) and a plurality of spaced-apart ring fingers (3) provided in the second ring body edge.